The best months to go to Venice, Italy
Venice is one of the most touristic cities in the world, so finding that sweet spot of when to schedule your trip is key to making it a successful one. We understand that the question of “when is the best time of year to visit Venice” may be very subjective since each traveler has her own unique taste.
Even though I may prefer visiting the city when it is empty, other people may be happy to face the crowds if that means having nicer weather. This is why we have split this guide according to different travel styles. Navigate below to discover the best months to go to Venice according to your preferences.
Best time of year to visit Venice for solo travellers
Most solo travelers may travel alone, but end up meeting other like-minded people along the way to travel together. If that is your case, you would want to go to Venice when it isn’t completely empty and when social events are blooming. So the best month for your visit would be June.
June is the month when the summer temperatures are already approaching and the summer travelers are starting to come. If you visit Venice in early June, you will find significantly fewer crowds than in the months of July and August, which makes it easier to visit the main attractions in the city.
When to visit Venice as a couple
If you are looking for a romantic escapade in the City of Canals, we recommend the month of October.
October is a relatively quiet month in Venice regarding tourism. The summer tourist crowds have already dissipated as the temperature starts to drop with the start of autumn. However, this is still quite a pleasant time of the year regarding temperature – you will need a jacket for going out in the evening but will be able to enjoy the days well.
Best time of the year to visit Venice with the family
When traveling with small kids, avoiding crowds is a must. For this reason, specifically, the best months to visit Venice as a family are April or May.
Spring is a lovely season to be in Venice, when the green starts coming back to life, slowly bringing along the hustle in the canals. These are quieter months, without any typically big events happening in the city.
When to visit Venice with friends
I need to be honest here and say that I think Venice is an amazing place to visit with friends at any time of the year because you will always have incredible food and nice local bars open, whether it is winter or summer. However, during the warmer months, you will definitely have more options for leisure activities to choose from.
With that being said, if you and your friends intend to visit the city, go out, meet people, etc – we recommend going in the warmer months of May or June. If you and your friends are having this trip to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company while exploring the city, it may pay off to travel to Venice during the low season in Winter. February for instance may be a very good option, with very short lines on most of the attractions.
Cheapest month to visit Venice for budget travellers
Without a shred of a doubt, the cheapest time to visit Venice is during the low season, from December to February (except Carnival). This is the only time of the year when the accommodation prices drop, which makes the trip much easier on your wallet. Flight prices are often cheaper around this time of year also, especially if you will be getting a short flight within Europe to get to Venice.
Pro tip: If you have the flexibility, check for last-minute accommodation options. Many hotels and hosts give extra discounts for rooms booked for the upcoming days. This year we ended up staying at a 4-star hotel very close to San Marco for only 50€ a night, whether, in summer, the same room would cost 250€.
Best months to visit Venice for party seekers
Venice isn’t your typical party destination. You won’t find many clubs around, as easily as you would in other European destinations. On the other hand, it has a blooming scene of amazing local bars, and this is where I recommend you focus if you like to experience Venice by night as locals do.
The best months to visit Venice if you are looking to go out are June and September. These are months when the weather is quite warm and pleasant to be outside and has still quite some movement to ignite social events. This is also the period when Venice gets busy with students as the university semester finishes/starts.
Pro tip: Our favorite neighborhoods for going out to local bars are Cannaregio and Dorsoduro.
The best time to visit Venice for long-time stays
As being a digital nomad becomes more and more popular, the search for long-time stays continuously increases. Venice isn’t a cheap destination so it is usually not the first choice for people who will be staying for a month or more. However, it is a place many people dream about, and only by having an extended stay, you will be able to really feel what life in Venice is like for a local.
If you intend on spending one month or more in Venice, we recommend arriving in mid-September and extending your stay throughout the following months, for as long as you wish. The end of summer and the start of autumn is an amazing time of the year to be in Venice as you will be able to experience the city getting quieter as time passes. By arriving in September, you will catch a glimpse of what the city feels like during the high touristic season, and observe the change in the atmosphere as the tourist groups start to decrease day by day.
When to avoid visiting Venice?
We recommend avoiding Venice in the months of July and August, which is when the peak of the high season happens. During these months, most locals flee the city to enjoy the summer vacation somewhere else. Meanwhile, the crowds of tourists keep on coming, making for huge lines at all the attractions and also when walking around the alleys of the center.
Besides the crowds, another reason why we recommend avoiding Venice during the peak summer months is the weather. August is an especially hot and wet month, which doesn’t make for very pleasant weather if you will be all day outside, walking up and down narrow alleys with few options for refreshment.
When is the acqua alta in Venice?
The acqua alta is what the locals call the flood that happens almost annually in Venice. Even though it can happen at any time of the year, it is most common between October and January, when the city typically gets heavier rainfall.
This being said, you shouldn’t fear the acqua alta as your tourism will most likely not be affected. Venice has experienced floods for centuries and it is very well prepared for it. Life goes on without much interference during the high water season, as the city workers build passages and bridges for people to walk in the most affected areas. You will also see that many people use wellies to not get their feet wet – you will easily find them for sale in local stores if the acqua alta happens.
Important events to have in mind when visiting Venice
Like any other important city, Venice has a busy calendar when it comes to social events. Here is a summary of the most important dates and holidays to have in mind when planning your trip to Venice:
February/March – Carnival
Venice hosts one of the most famous Carnavales in the world, which always happens 40 days before Easter. The city gets very busy throughout one whole week, where you will see many people dressed up in the streets and many social events happening.
May to November – The Biennale
Every two years, in odd-numbered years, Venice hosts the Bienalle for Art. It is an international event that brings together pieces from world-renowned artists, attracting thousands of visitors that come to see the installations scattered around the city.
May – Vogalonga
Usually happening in late May, the Vogalonga is a famous rowing competition that brings together rowers for the whole world. Rowing is a highly esteemed sport in Venice (for obvious reasons) and if you are a sports enthusiast, this is a very interesting event to attend.
July – Festa del Redentore
Happening on the third weekend of July, the Festa del Redentore (in English, the Feast of the Redeemer) is a religious festival that happens at the Church of the Redentore, located in Giudecca. This festival is very unique because the city builds a floating bridge connecting San Marco to Giudecca. The festival is celebrated with fireworks and a gondola regatta.
September – Regata Storica
The Regata Storica, which translates into Historic Regatta, is a very popular event amongst Venetians. As the name suggests, this race has been happening since the 13th century in the Venetian Lagoon. Before the actual race, there is a parade and many social events happening at this time.
Continue reading about how to organize your trip to Venice:
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Venice
If you are still looking for tours and inspiration on what to do in Venice, check out a few options below:
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Italy, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Italy on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
- Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Italy!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means that we get a small commission from any purchase you make, at no additional cost to you!
